Des Moines evicting homeless from downtown camps

Des Moines is evicting homeless people from three informal camps downtown, but it's unclear whether the people will find space in crowded shelters.

City zoning administrator SueAnn Donovan told The Des Moines Register the city wants the homeless to move indoors to escape this week's bitter winter cold. Donovan says "the emphasis is on making everyone safe."

But Ken Dohmen with Central Iowa Shelter and Services says it will be tough to persuade homeless people to leave their camps for already overcrowded shelters.

Dohmen says he thinks the city's intentions are good but says the homeless people he's talked to likely will just move to a different spot outdoors.

The 10-day eviction notices were posted Jan. 17.

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